Biofilm microenvironment activated supramolecular nanoparticles for enhanced photodynamic therapy of bacterial keratitis

Infectious keratitis caused by bacterial biofilms is one of the main causes of corneal blindness, presenting a serious threat to public health. In this study, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-sensitive supramolecular nanoparticles (denoted as MMP-S NPs) were constructed for enhancing photodynamic antibacterial effect against biofilm-associated bacterial keratitis. MMP-S NPs were prepared by host-guest self-assembly of chlorin e6 (Ce6) conjugated β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) prodrug (β-CD-Ce6) and MMP-9-sensitive peptides (YGRKKKRRQRRR-GPLGVRG-EEEEEE) terminated with adamantane (Ad) (Ad-MMP-S PEPs). MMP-S NPs with EEEEEE peptide shell had a negatively charged surface, preventing adhesion to the normal ocular surface or healthy corneal cells, thus enhancing tear retention time. After arriving at the infected lesions, the protective EEEEEE peptide shell of MMP-S NPs was removed, triggered by overexpressed MMP-9 in the keratitis microenvironment. The subsequently exposed cationic peptides helped the nanoparticles penetrate and accumulate in biofilms as well as bind to Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), which eventually improved the photodynamic antibacterial effect. Furthermore, the P. aeruginosa keratitis model verified the high effectiveness of a topical eye drop formulation of MMP-S NPs in killing bacteria by destroying the bacterial membrane as a result of in situ photodynamic activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation under light irradiation. Moreover, the inflammatory response in the cornea was inhibited to a great extent. As a result, further damage to the corneal tissue was completely suppressed. This research provides a viable antibacterial alternative to fight against bacterial keratitis through effective elimination of infectious bacteria and eradication of bacterial biofilms in the cornea.